Lokotui and Kalamafoni both start for Tonga in Bucharest

Lokotui and Kalamafoni both start for Tonga in Bucharest

Gloucester Rugby forwards Lua Lokotui and Sione Kalamafoni will both start for Tonga on Saturday afternoon as they play Romania for the first time ever.

It will be a tough outing for the Gloucester duo and their team mates with Romania unbeaten in eight matches after narrowly conceding the European Nations Cup title to Georgia on points differential, and winning the IRB Nations Cup outright.

Tonga are currently ranked 11th in the IRB World Ranking with Romania six places behind them in 17th.

However, the Romanian side is vastly experienced. It boasts 497 caps in the starting line up compared to Tonga's 200. Romania are also a younger side and boast a bigger pack in terms of average weight.

Tonga have only ever won twice against European nations during European Tours. These were against Portugal 24-19 in Lisbon in 2009 and last year against Scotland 21-15 in Aberdeen.